Snake sturgeon

[kentd71]

I need some information about what to use for bait(and how big) to catch sturgeon. At the end of April I will be in the Mt Home area 26,27th and west of Homedale the 28 and 29th. Are there many bait shops that carry bait for sturgeon. I will fish below C.J. first. Are there any good places for sturgeon west of Homedale? Thanks, Kent
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[Aluma165]

I haven't fished for sturgeon but being on a few of the fishing forums I can tell you that locally caught perch are a favored "gator bait". Below the C.J. dam is a good choice; some monsters are brought to the boat and released along this stretch of the Snake. "Steelheader.net" 's Idaho forum has several of the local Treasure Valley sturgeon fishermen commenting on their places and methods for "gators". They organize "flotillas" where several boats meet up and fish for sturgeon. The Idaho Outdoors program on public TV has a segment on Hell's Canyon sturgeon fishing. Browse the forum I mentioned above. Hope this helps!
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[wiperhunter2]

I have fished for and caught sturgeon in CJ Strike and know a friend that has caught them below the dam. We use chunks of herring to attract them and 6 to 8 night crawlers for bait. I slide the chunks up the line above the hook and bait the hook with crawlers, using a slider weight around 6 to 8 oz. on 50 lb test line. Get a good map of the lake at the local bait shop at the lake and it will show you were to fish. Good luck. WH2
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[flygoddess]

I grew up in Glenn's Ferry and my Grandfather use to catch like 7' on chunks of like carp or cat. That was several years ago however. Dinasours is what they are!
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[KJFN]

Welcome to BFT. I have never fish for sturgeon but if you send this member of BFT a PM he can help you. His handle is [kentofnsl] he is mostly on the Utah boards but does fish Idaho and has had some good reports on sturgeon fishing on the Snake. Welcome and best wishes!
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[wiperhunter2]

The name of the bait shop at CJ Strike is The Fishing Hole, it is in Bruneau, Idaho. Send me a PM if you want the phone number. Welcome to the site. WH2
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[BrianID]

Every bait shop in the area has bait for sturgeon. Sometimes they run out. The most common bait sold are frozen rainbow trout but there are a wide variety of baits sold. If I had a choice for bait I would use freshly caught rainbow trout.
Here's something that was put on the F&G's webpage that you might want to read.

Q. Is it legal to catch game fish and use them as sturgeon bait?

A. In Idaho, you can use fish and fish parts for bait anywhere except in "no bait" waters. Many anglers use dead rainbow trout or trout parts from hatcheries for sturgeon bait, but they need a receipt to show the source if they have more than six trout in their possession. If other species of gamefish are used, anglers need to watch limits for them as well.
[url "http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/apps/releases/view.cfm?NewsID=3106"]http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/apps/releases/view.cfm?NewsID=3106[/url]
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[lunkerhunter2]

We used to use smelt on the snake river and did exceptionally well. It is sold in pickled bottles around Idaho in the bait stores. It is called "Sturgeon Candy", and it is like $5-$7 a bottle depending on where you get it. Also what BrianID said about the "morts" dead rainbow trout work very well too. Good luck and post when you get back.
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